6: Chapter 6 Marrying Consort Xiao, the Wedding Night

The deep night shrouded the entire imperial palace.

Only the Cold Palace remained in utter silence.

The sound of hurried, light footsteps echoed.

Several eunuchs and palace maids carrying lanterns surrounded Wang Dehai, the Director of the Palace Ceremonial, as they walked quickly through a desolate courtyard.

"Chief Wang, it's right here."

The leading little eunuch pointed flatteringly toward a dilapidated side hall ahead.

Wang Dehai frowned, took out a handkerchief to cover his nose and mouth, his face full of disdain.

He cleared his throat, and his shrill voice sounded particularly piercing in the night wind.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees! Deposed Consort Xiao, set out immediately and move to Dragon Imperial Hall!"

Inside the hall, a thin figure trembled violently.

Consort Xiao Yu raised her head. On that pale face, there was no joy to be seen, only a numb expression.

Move to Dragon Imperial Hall?

The Retired Emperor's residence?

Hadn't he already... passed away?

Yesterday, the Emperor's decree had spread throughout the palace.

Restoring her rank as Noble Consort and even ordering her to attend to the Retired Emperor's bed.

Absurd.

Humiliating.

The entire inner palace was abuzz with gossip, everyone treating her as a joke.

A pawn pushed out to test the powerful officials.

A poor Soul about to be 'defiled' by an old man with one foot in the grave.

She had originally thought she would die alone in this cold cage.

Like a small flower in a stone crack, beaten by wind and rain, withering silently.

She hadn't expected fate to give her an even more cruel script.

Was it Wei Yong's conspiracy?

Or the last struggle of that cowardly Emperor?

Regardless of which, what awaited her would not be a good end.

"Lady Xiao, please, don't make things difficult for me."

Wang Dehai's voice was very impatient.

During today's morning court, the young Emperor had personally executed an imperial censor, shocking the court and giving his personal eunuch a bit more backbone.

But facing this errand to Dragon Imperial Hall, his heart was still pounding.

That was the Retired Emperor's territory; who knew what the situation was like inside.

Consort Xiao Yu stood up.

Her washed-out palace dress swayed in the night wind.

She didn't resist, nor did she ask questions, calmly following the eunuchs out of the cage that had imprisoned her for three years.

The road from the Cold Palace to Dragon Imperial Hall was long.

Along the way, the palace walls and halls were decorated with carved beams and painted pillars, brightly lit.

It was exactly the same as when she first arrived.

Consort Xiao Yu's state of mind, however, was worlds apart.

Three years ago, she was a Noble Consort favored by thousands. Her father was the Protector General of the State with illustrious military achievements. She was a favored daughter of heaven, deeply loved by the Emperor.

Three years later, her Family was ruined, and she was separated from her flesh and blood.

She had become a deposed consort trampled upon by everyone, a victim of political games.

Now, she didn't even know if she was about to face a living person or a dead one.

A living person? An old man in his eighties asking her to attend his bed—what a humiliation.

A dead person? Why send her there?

To be buried alive with him?

Consort Xiao Yu gave a bitter smile.

So be it.

If I die, I die.

In this filthy world, in this cold imperial palace, she no longer had the slightest attachment.

The only thing supporting her will to live was hate.

She hated Wei Yong, and she hated those treacherous factions that framed her father.

She also hated that cowardly man who couldn't protect his own wife and child.

They arrived at Dragon Imperial Hall.

Unlike the deathly stillness she had imagined, it was brightly lit and exceptionally quiet.

There were no guards at the hall entrance.

Only a small eunuch stood waiting respectfully with his head bowed.

Wang Dehai escorted Consort Xiao Yu to the door, not daring to take another step forward, and instructed the little eunuch.

"The person... I have delivered. I'll leave the rest to you, Eunuch."

After speaking, as if avoiding a plague god, he quickly slipped away with his subordinates.

The little eunuch raised his head, revealing a delicate face, and made a "please" gesture to Consort Xiao Yu.

"My Lady, His Majesty... is waiting for you inside."

The His Majesty he spoke of was naturally not Emperor Li Zhan.

Consort Xiao Yu stepped into the palace.

She carried a heart prepared for death.

Inside the hall was a faint scent of sandalwood, refreshing to the Soul, without the rumored smell of medicine or decay.

In the vast, empty hall, candle flames flickered.

Passing through the outer hall and rounding a massive red sandalwood screen, Consort Xiao Yu's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

On the dragon bed in the inner hall, the curtains hung low.

A figure stood by the window with his back to her.

The figure was tall and straight, wearing a simple black robe, with long hair draped casually over his shoulders.

There was no sign of old age; instead, he carried an otherworldly temperament.

Consort Xiao Yu froze.

Who... is this?

Not the Retired Emperor? Which prince is it?

Or is it that heartless Emperor... waiting for her here?

"You've come."

The figure turned around, his voice warm and pleasant.

The moment she saw the man's face clearly, Consort Xiao Yu was instantly stunned.

The man before her looked to be in his early twenties.

His features were heroic, his appearance handsome.

His eyes were deep, his gaze sharp.

He clearly stood right there, yet gave off the illusion of being far away, not belonging to the mortal world.

Handsome in appearance, extraordinary in bearing.

How could there be such a... god-like man in this world?

"You... who are you?"

Consort Xiao Yu's voice trembled, and she subconsciously took half a step back, her heart filled with vigilance.

This was definitely not any member of the imperial Family she knew.

An assassin of Wei Yong's?

Or was this another even more cruel trap?

The man looked at her panicked and guarded expression and smiled faintly.

"No need to be nervous. In the entire imperial palace, who else would dare to live in Dragon Imperial Hall besides me?"

Me?

Consort Xiao Yu was startled.

She looked at the young man before her, and an idea so absurd it reached the extreme popped uncontrollably into her mind.

"You... you are... the Retired Emperor?"

She asked this almost in a whisper, her mind completely in disarray.

"Yes."

Li Xuan nodded slightly, admitting to this identity that could scare someone to death.

He looked with interest at the shock, doubt, and confusion on Consort Xiao Yu's face.

An eighty-year-old geezer suddenly becoming a young man; the impact was indeed significant.

"This... how is this possible..."

Consort Xiao Yu murmured, finding it hard to believe.

"The Retired Emperor... you... aren't you already eighty years old?"

"I had some Opportunity and simply regained my youth."

Li Xuan explained nonchalantly.

He didn't say much more, casting his gaze toward Consort Xiao Yu. Those eyes seemed able to see through one's heart, making Consort Xiao Yu feel a wave of panic.

"Do you know why I had you come here?"

Li Xuan asked.

Consort Xiao Yu's body trembled, and she lowered her eyes, her long lashes quivering slightly to hide the sorrow within.

She didn't know, and she didn't dare to guess.

Perhaps it really was to satisfy the desires of this "rejuvenated" Retired Emperor.

"This servant does not know."

Her voice was very soft, carrying the misery of accepting her fate.

"Raise your head."

Li Xuan's voice gained a touch of majesty.

Consort Xiao Yu did not dare to disobey. She looked up, meeting those deep eyes once more.

"Three years ago, the great victory at Black Wolf Pass in the Northern Border. Protector General Xiao Hong slew thirty thousand enemies and captured the Shaman of their Royal Court, striking the Black Wolf King so hard he dared not look south for ten years."

Li Xuan's voice was not loud.

Yet it caused a great tremor in Consort Xiao Yu's heart!

Consort Xiao Yu's whole body shook violently, and she bit her lip hard to keep the tears from falling.

Father!

That great man was her eternal pride and her life's deepest pain.

"Such peerless merit was rewarded with the charge of treason and the execution of the entire Family."

Li Xuan's tone was calm, yet it carried a chill.

He looked at the trembling woman before him, speaking word by word.

"The Xiao Family are loyal subjects. Your father, Xiao Hong, was a pillar of our Great Xia. That he suffered such injustice is the incompetence of my grandson, and the tragedy of the Great Xia court."

"I did not have you come here to humiliate you."

Li Xuan took a step forward, standing in front of Consort Xiao Yu. His voice rang clearly in her ear and deeply shocked her.

"I intend to exonerate your father!"

Boom!

That short sentence exploded in her mind like a thunderclap!

Exonerate?!

He wants to exonerate my father?!

Consort Xiao Yu looked up abruptly, staring fixedly at Li Xuan, hope finally igniting in those dim eyes.

"You... what you say is true?"

Her voice was hoarse from excessive excitement, filled with disbelief.

For three years, she had been a walking corpse, never seeing the light of day.

She thought she would never see the day her Family's grievance was redressed in this lifetime.

Now, hope had come just like that.

"A monarch does not joke."

Li Xuan's expression was incredibly serious.

He looked at Consort Xiao Yu's eyes, which had reignited with brilliance, and his heart stirred slightly.

As expected of the Phoenix destiny; even when covered in dust, her character remains.

A single spark is enough for Nirvana.

"Why..."

Consort Xiao Yu's tears finally rolled down.

"Why would you help me?"

She didn't understand.

Why would this mysterious and powerful Retired Emperor go against the court-dominating Wei Yong for a deposed consort?

What benefit was there for him?

"There is no why."

Li Xuan said faintly.

"I simply cannot stand those vermin of the state continuing to act willfully upon my Great Xia's lands."

"Returning justice to the Xiao Family is only the beginning."

"Wei Yong, and those behind him—the debts they owe, I will make them pay back with interest."

His voice was calm, but the killing intent within it caused the atmosphere in the hall to suddenly become heavy.

Consort Xiao Yu stared at him blankly.

Looking at the determination in his eyes and his innate majesty.

At this moment, all her doubt, vigilance, and fear vanished.

She believed him!

This suddenly appeared, god-like man was her only hope!

Thump!

Consort Xiao Yu could no longer hold herself up. Her knees buckled, and she knelt heavily on the ground.

She said nothing, only pressing her forehead deeply against the cold floor.

A ray of light had finally shone into her desperate heart.

This light was enough for her to offer everything.

Life and Soul.

"This servant, Consort Xiao Yu, is willing to... die ten thousand deaths for Your Majesty!"

Her voice was choked with sobs, yet more determined than ever before.

From this moment on, her life belonged to him.

At the very instant Consort Xiao Yu truly submitted, a voice rang out in Li Xuan's mind.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations to the host for successfully marrying the first consort with a 'Phoenix Destiny' and completing the beginner quest!]

[Beginner Gift Pack being distributed...]

[Reward 1: Cultivation Empowerment (Innate Realm Peak)!]

[Reward 2: System core function 'hall of offspring' officially opened!]

Boom!

A muffled sound.

A majestic power forcibly poured into Li Xuan's crown without warning!

That power was pure and overbearing, instantly overwhelming the Meridians throughout his body!

Li Xuan's body felt like a balloon being blown up!

The barrier of the Body Refining Realm was vulnerable!

The shackles of the Acquired Realm were instantly broken!

Crack! Crack!

It was as if invisible fetters within his body were being snapped one by one!

The Qi within his body condensed into True Qi, circulating at high speed!

True Qi connected the bridge between Heaven and Earth, linking with the external Spiritual Qi!

Innate Realm!

Initial Stage!

Middle Stage!

High Stage!

The soaring of his cultivation did not stop; that vast energy continued to pour in, pushing his Realm upward all the way!

Finally, after all the energy was absorbed and refined, Li Xuan's cultivation settled firmly at—Innate Realm Peak!

Only one step away from opening the Divine Treasury and stepping into the Transcendent!

Li Xuan opened his eyes, his gaze sharp.

He lightly clenched his fist, the wind from his punch creating a muffled boom.

He felt a powerful strength like never before.

At this moment, he was worlds apart from just a moment ago.

If dealing with Wei Yong before required using Dragon Majesty to "scare" him, then now, with a single thought, he could turn that old fellow into a pool of blood.

This was power!

He suppressed the agitation in his heart and sank his consciousness into his mind to look at the second reward.

In the System interface, a phantom of an ancient and sacred hall emerged, with three large characters written on the plaque—hall of offspring.

With a thought, Li Xuan entered the hall of offspring.

The hall was empty, with only a jade pillar carved with a Phoenix totem emitting light. On the pillar, the name "Consort Xiao Yu" was marked.

At the top of the jade pillar, a ball of light was condensing.

[Offspring Gestation Status: Not Yet Started]

[Offspring Talent Potential: ??? (To be unlocked after gestation)]

Li Xuan looked at those question marks full of infinite possibilities and smiled.

He withdrew his consciousness, his gaze falling back onto Consort Xiao Yu, who was still kneeling on the ground.

He stepped forward, reached out, and gently helped her up.

The woman's body was still trembling, and warm tears wetted the back of his hand.

"The ground is cold."

Li Xuan's voice was very gentle.

Feeling the warmth from his hand and looking at the handsome face so close at hand, Consort Xiao Yu's heart skipped a beat.

The night was deep.

The candlelight flickered red.

Everything was only just beginning.